Tigers' Javier Baez: Likely in line for bench role
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Baez is expected to open the season in a bench role with Trey Sweeney likely in line to serve as the Tigers' Opening Day starter at shortstop, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Sweeney hasn't been optioned to Triple-A Toledo yet, and if the 24-year-old sticks in the majors, the Tigers likely won't want him riding the pine instead of developing in the minors. Baez has seemingly kept himself prepared for the possibility of serving in more of a utility role this spring, as he's also been seeing time at third base in addition to his natural spot at shortstop. Baez has struggled mightily since signing a six-year, $140 million deal with Detroit in November 2021, but with three seasons still left on his contract, the Tigers may not be ready to write him off as a sunk cost just yet.
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Tigers' Justyn-Henry Malloy: Continues solid spring
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Malloy went 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.
While Malloy hasn't gone deep yet this spring, he is batting a solid .308 across 17 contests. Power is the 25-year-old's calling card, but after batting just .203 with a 37 percent strikeout rate as a rookie last year, the team would likely trade in a bit of his slugging ways for more consistent contact at the plate. Malloy may be a bench option for the Tigers to begin the regular season, though he has the upside to seize a larger role as the year progresses.
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Tigers' Spencer Torkelson: Could see regular starts at DH
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Torkelson could open the season as the Tigers' regular designated hitter if Kerry Carpenter is used mostly in right field, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
With Parker Meadows (arm) and Matt Vierling (shoulder) slated to open the season on the injured list, Wenceel Perez will shift over to center field and Carpenter might see most of his reps in right field. That opens up the DH spot, and Petzold projects Torkelson to fill it, at least on a short-term basis. Torkelson is coming off a disappointing 2024 season that saw him put up a .669 OPS in 92 regular-season contests, but he's had a nice spring, clubbing four homers in 14 tilts.
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Tigers' Andy Ibanez: Will be short side of 3B platoon
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Ibanez is slated to open the season as the Tigers' short-side platoon partner with Zach McKinstry at third base, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Jace Jung was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Monday, setting up an uninspiring McKinstry/Ibanez platoon at the hot corner, at least until Matt Vierling (shoulder) is ready. Ibanez slashed .292/.357/.445 against left-handed pitching last season.
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Tigers' Zach McKinstry: Set for strong-side platoon at 3B
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McKinstry is expected to open the season in the long side of a platoon at third base with Andy Ibanez, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
The Tigers optioned Jace Jung to Triple-A Toledo on Monday, a transaction which cinches a McKinstry/Ibanez platoon at the hot corner while Matt Vierling (shoulder) is out. McKinstry slashed only .215/.277/.337 with four homers across 118 regular-season contests for the Tigers last season. He did steal 16 bases without being caught, and that, along with his multi-position eligibility, gives McKinstry some utility in very deep leagues.
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Tigers' Gleyber Torres: Back in lineup at DH
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Torres (quadricep) will serve as Detroit's designated hitter and No. 3 batter in Monday's Grapefruit League game against Pittsburgh, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
Torres is back in the lineup one day after being scratched from the starting nine ahead of the Tigers' game against the Orioles due to a right quad bruise. Though Torres will be eased back into action in a non-defensive role, he'll presumably be ready to resume playing second base within the next few days.
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Tigers' Trey Sweeney: Poised to win shortstop job
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Sweeney "appears poised to open the season as the primary shortstop" for the Tigers, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Sweeney had just a .642 OPS for the Tigers down the stretch of last regular season and has only a .611 OPS so far this spring. However, Detroit likes his glove at shortstop and the club is also lacking alternatives, so Sweeney is slated to see most of the reps at shortstop to open the season, at least against right-handed pitching.
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Tigers' Sean Guenther: Sent to minors
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Guenther was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Monday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
Guenther gave up seven earned runs in 3.2 innings this spring. His demotion clears the way for Brant Hurter to make the team as the second lefty out of the bullpen.
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Tigers' Jace Jung: Optioned to Triple-A
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Jung was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Monday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
It had seemed like Jung had a good chance of making the team after Matt Vierling (shoulder) was ruled out for Opening Day, but the Tigers will make do with the likes of Zach McKinstry and Andy Ibanez at third base while Vierling is sidelined. Jung hit .121 with one home run and a 10:4 K:BB in 37 plate appearances in Grapefruit League play.
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Tigers' Spencer Torkelson: To see time in right
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Torkelson is set to see some time in right field to wrap up spring training, starting with Monday's contest against the Pirates, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
Detroit's outfield has been ravaged by injuries, with Parker Meadows (arm) and Matt Vierling (shoulder) both set to miss Opening Day. Wenceel Perez also recently dealt with back tightness, though he managed to return Saturday after missing a few days of action. Even with Perez back in the fold, the Tigers could use some more outfield depth, which is why they're giving Torkelson a try. He has only ever played first base or served as the DH in the majors, though the former Arizona State star did see some time in the outfield during his college days. Any additional positional versatility would help Torkelson's chances of making the Opening Day roster and could give him a bit more fantasy value this season.
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Tigers' Tarik Skubal: Posts another strong spring outing
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Skubal allowed two runs on six hits across five innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies. He struck out seven.
This was the longest spring start so far for Skubal, who appears to be ready for the regular season. To no one's surprise, the lefty has been sharp during the exhibition slate, posting a 2.70 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 15 strikeouts across 13.1 Grapefruit League innings. The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner may make one more spring appearance before starting Detroit's season opener March 27, on the road against the Dodgers.
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Tigers' Brenan Hanifee: Continues strong spring play
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After tossing two scoreless innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies, Hanifee now has a 0.00 ERA and 0.82 WHIP across 7.1 innings this spring along with seven strikeouts.
Hanifee was a pleasant surprise for the Tigers in 2024, posting a 1.84 ERA and 1.12 WHIP across 29.1 regular-season innings after getting called up to the majors in early August. The righty often served as an opener and gave Detroit some length out of the bullpen. Based on his strong showing last year and impressive spring so far, Hanifee should have a roster spot locked up, and he may see more high-leverage work as the season progresses.
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Tigers' Gleyber Torres: Scratched from Sunday's lineup
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Torres was scratched from the lineup ahead of Sunday's spring game against the Orioles due to a right quadriceps contusion.
It's likely a precautionary move from the Tigers, but Torres will probably undergo further testing. The second baseman agreed to a one-year, $15 million contract with Detroit in December after playing for the Yankees for the past seven seasons. He finished the 2024 regular season with a .257/.330/.378 slash line, 15 home runes and 63 RBI across 665 plate appearances.
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Tigers' Kenta Maeda: Scratched with illness
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Maeda won't pitch as scheduled in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies due to an illness, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
The veteran right-hander was set to pitch behind Tigers ace Tarik Skubal but will instead be unavailable due to a stomach ailment. Maeda is competing for the No. 5 spot in Detroit's rotation and should be back on the mound after taking a couple days to recover.
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Tigers' Wenceel Perez: Back in action Saturday
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Perez (back) is starting in center field and batting leadoff in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.
The 25-year-old has been dealing with lower-back tightness over the past week but will rejoin the starting nine Saturday after recently receiving a cortisone injection. Perez is expected to start in center or right field Opening Day for the Tigers since Parker Meadows (arm) and Matt Vierling (shoulder) will be unavailable to begin the season.
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Tigers' Parker Meadows: Will not be ready for Opening Day
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Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Friday that Meadows (arm) will not be ready for Opening Day, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
Hinch added that while Meadows is progressing steadily as he works his way back from a nerve issue in his right arm, there will not be enough time to ramp him back up by March 27. It seems Meadows' stint on the injured list could be a short one, but there's no firm timetable yet for when he'll be ready for his season debut. Wenceel Perez (back) is in line for increased playing time while Meadows and Matt Vierling (shoulder) are out, and Riley Greene could slide over to center field some days.
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Tigers' Wenceel Perez: Gets injection, should avoid IL
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Perez received a cortisone injection in his back Friday but is expected to be ready for Opening Day, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
The 25-year-old has been sidelined for the past week due to lower-back tightness, and he received the cortisone injection after a couple failed attempts to return to game action this week. Parker Meadows (arm) and Matt Vierling (shoulder) are poised to miss the start of the season, so Perez should play a significant role for the Tigers to begin the campaign, assuming he can avoid further complications.
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Tigers' Tyler Holton: Sharp in limited spring work
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Through four Grapefruit League appearances, Holton has allowed one run on two hits and two walks across 3.2 innings while striking out three.
The Tigers haven't used Holton heavily so far this spring after the lefty logged a career-high 94.1 innings during the regular season last year followed by 5.2 more innings in the postseason. Holton was effective in the regular season with a 2.19 ERA and 0.78 WHIP, and he was able to give the Tigers some length out of the bullpen when needed. The 28-year-old also recorded eight saves as a secondary option behind Jason Foley, who led the team with 28 saves. Foley is still likely the top closing candidate in Detroit heading into 2025, but both Holton and newcomer Tommy Kahnle figure to be in the mix as well.
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Tigers' Jason Foley: Struggling this spring
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Through five Grapefruit League appearances, Foley has allowed five runs on eight hits across 4.1 innings.
Foley was solid for the Tigers in 2024, posting a 3.15 ERA and 1.18 WHIP during the regular season and leading the team with 28 saves, so the righty should have a little leeway despite his spring struggles. He still looks like the top candidate for saves in Detroit to start the year, though newcomer Tommy Kahnle is expected to be in the mix along with holdover Tyler Holton, and possibly Will Vest and Beau Brieske as well. Foley will likely need a strong start to his season to solidify his grip on the closer role.
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Tigers' Riley Greene: Could see more time in center
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Greene is an option to see more playing in center field for Detroit with the Tigers dealing with injuries to Parker Meadows (arm) and Matt Vierling (shoulder), Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.
Greene primarily played in center during his first two MLB campaigns but shifted mostly to left in 2024. With Meadows questionable for Opening Day and Vierling already ruled out, Greene may be needed to slide back over, particularly with Wenceel Perez (back) also banged up. No matter where he plays, Greene figures to be one of Detroit's top offensive threats and a strong fantasy contributor.
